Lip Tip: Separate School Stuff

My daughter's only been in preschool since September and we've already received lice and conjunctivitis exposure slips. Luckily, she escaped both, but once a child enrolls in school these notices are a fact of life or so says my sister, a primary school teacher.

Aside from keeping my daughter's long locks wound in a bun on school days, I was recently given another tip — set up a separate space for school stuff.

To keep from having these sheets send you into a tailspin, have a coat rack in your garage or entry way specifically for school jackets, hats and backpacks. That way when there is a warning, you can take the necessary precautions and prevent further spreading of any germs. And, the isolated rack might save you from clearing out the entire closet.

Sorry, shouldn't have used "required." :) But keeping the backpack and outer clothing in the separated area won't save you from having to clearing out elsewhere, in my experience.
I agree that it's a good idea, and not just for the spread of germs, I just don't agree that it makes clearing out other areas unnecessary.

Sorry, shouldn't have used "required." :) But keeping the backpack and outer clothing in the separated area won't save you from having to clearing out elsewhere, in my experience. I agree that it's a good idea, and not just for the spread of germs, I just don't agree that it makes clearing out other areas unnecessary.

"The most important step in treating a head lice infestation is to treat the person and other family members with head lice with medication to kill the lice. Wash clothing and bedding worn or used by the infested person in the 2-day period just before treatment is started." - CDC website.

The separate space will keep the germs from spreading from the items, but the second the child steps out of the space, the germs will still require disinfecting everything else as well. Conjunctivitis is generally spread via hand to eye contact, not contact with items. Lice doesn't adhere to the items, either, it requires the hair follicle.